Mobile access unit and cage

ABSTRACT

Fall restraint equipment comprising a mobile access unit having a mobile platform portion, a ladder portion, and a cage portion. The components of the fall restraint equipment are formed from butterflying, lasering, cutting, bending, and/or stamping continuous pieces of tubular and sheet metal. The components of the mobile access unit are modular and include adapters of varying height that cause the mobile access unit to exhibit varying height. Also, the mobile access unit is adaptable so that it can roll in a first direction of orientation of the ladder or a second direction perpendicular to the first direction.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a continuation of copending application Ser. No. 14/336,579, filed Jul. 21, 2014, which is a divisional of U.S. application Ser. No. 12/837,480, filed Jul. 15, 2010, which claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/244,016, entitled “Cage” and filed on Sep. 18, 2009. These applications are hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth verbatim herein and relied upon for all purposes.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention relates generally to fall restraint equipment components. More particularly, the present invention relates to a mobile access unit configured to aid in the unloading of material from containers. The present invention also relates to cages configured to be used with the mobile access unit or with other fall restraint equipment.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Typically, fall restraint equipment and its components are manufactured by cutting and welding stock pieces of material together. The stock material commonly exhibits a predefined configuration, size, and arrangement. As a result, the stock material must be plasma cut to the desired shape and/or size. The resulting pieces are then welded together to form a component. To accomplish this, a surface of one piece is placed flat against a surface of another, and the connection between the two is then welded. As a result, the strength of the formed component is limited at least in part by the weld holding the two pieces together. Once the component is formed, it is attached to other components that have been formed in the same manner by welding the two components together. Similarly, the strength of the resulting equipment is limited at least in part by the weld holding its components together.

Additionally, manufacturing equipment in this manner is both time-consuming and costly. Moreover, the drilling and cutting of the stock materials must be accomplished with precision in order to create a stable end product. Variances greater than an acceptable level render the smaller pieces unusable, which are typically discarded as it is often unfeasible to use them in another product once they have been drilled or cut. Moreover, if other parts cannot be cut or drilled from the remaining portions of the stock materials, they too are discarded. Further, different types and sizes of the metal stock material must be kept on hand in order to form the components to be welded together. The inefficient yet inescapable use of stock material also increases the costs associated with manufacturing fall restraint equipment.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention recognizes and addresses the foregoing considerations, and others, of prior art construction and methods.

In this regard, one aspect of the invention provides a cage for fall restraint equipment. The cage comprises a top rail formed from a continuous piece of tubular metal, a bottom rail formed from a continuous piece of circular, tubular metal, and an upright formed from a continuous piece of tubular metal. The upright defines a first aperture configured to receive a first end of the top rail and defines a second aperture configured to receive a first end of the bottom rail.

According to another aspect, the present invention provides a method for manufacturing a cage for fall restraint equipment. The method comprises the steps of bending a first continuous piece of tubular metal at a plurality of first predefined locations to form a relatively rectangular top rail, where the top rail defines at least one top rail end; bending a second continuous piece of tubular metal at a plurality of second predefined locations to form a relatively rectangular bottom rail, wherein the bottom rail defines at least one bottom rail end; cutting a third continuous piece of tubular metal to define a first aperture and a second aperture, wherein the first aperture is configured to receive the at least one top rail end and the second aperture is configured to receive the at least one bottom rail end; inserting the at least one top rail end into the first aperture; and inserting the at least one bottom rail end into the second aperture.

Yet another aspect of the present invention provides a mobile access unit comprising a ladder portion including a ladder and a mobile platform. The mobile platform is configured to receive a first pair and a second pair of adapters. The first and second pair of adapters are configured to connect to the ladder portion. The second pair of adapters is greater in height than the first pair of adapters so that the mobile access unit exhibits a greater height when the mobile platform receives the second pair of adapters than when the mobile platform receives the first pair of adapters.

The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

A full and enabling disclosure of the present invention, including the best mode thereof directed to one of ordinary skill in the art, is set forth in the specification, which makes reference to the appended drawings, in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of fall restraint equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of a cage of the fall restraint equipment of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the cage of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 4, 5, 6, 7, and 8 are perspective views of various components of a cage bumpout weldment of the cage of FIG. 2;

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of bumpout weldments of the cage of FIG. 2;

FIG. 11 is a bottom planar view of a top rail of the cage of FIG. 2;

FIG. 12 is a side elevation view of the top rail of FIG. 11;

FIG. 13 is a top planar view of the top rail or FIG. 11;

FIG. 14 is a perspective view of fall restraint equipment in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of a cage of the fall restraint equipment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 16 is a perspective view of a vertical support tube of the cage of FIG. 15;

FIG. 17 is a top planar view of a rail of the cage of FIG. 15;

FIG. 18 is a side elevation view of the rail of FIG. 17;

FIG. 19 is a bottom planar view of the rail of FIG. 17;

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of a bumpout weldment of the cage of FIG. 15;

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of the bumpout weldment upright of FIG. 20;

FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a mobile access unit and attached cage of the fall restraint equipment of FIG. 14;

FIG. 23 is an exploded view of the mobile access unit and attached cage of FIG. 22;

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a base support of the mobile access unit of FIG. 22;

FIG. 25 is a perspective view of a support structure of the mobile access unit of FIG. 22;

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of a handrail assembly of the mobile access unit of FIG. 22;

FIGS. 27 and 28 are perspective views of ladder adapters of the mobile access unit of FIG. 22;

FIG. 29 a is a perspective view of a base portion of the mobile access unit of FIG. 22;

FIG. 29 b is a top planar view of the base portion of FIG. 29 a;

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an h-frame assembly of the mobile access unit of FIG. 22;

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of a goose neck connector of the mobile access unit of FIG. 22;

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of a ladder of the mobile access unit of FIG. 22;

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a pair of ladder adapters in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a perspective view of the pair of ladder adapters of FIG. 33 interconnected by a pair of supports;

FIG. 35 is a perspective of a base portion of a mobile access unit in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 36 is a perspective view of an h-frame in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Repeat use of reference characters in the present specification and drawings is intended to represent same or analogous features or elements of the invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Reference will now be made in detail to presently preferred embodiments of the invention, one or more examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. Each example is provided by way of explanation of the invention, not limitation of the invention. In fact, it will be apparent to those skilled in the art that modifications and variations can be made in the present invention without departing from the scope or spirit thereof. For instance, features illustrated or described as part of one embodiment may be used on another embodiment to yield a still further embodiment. Thus, it is intended that the present invention covers such modifications and variations as come within the scope of the appended claims and their equivalents.

Fall restraint equipment may be used to unload material from a railcar or other storage container. Examples of fall restraint equipment may be found in U.S. Pat. No. 7,950,095, entitled “Gangway and Method of Manufacturing Same” and granted on May 31, 2011; U.S. Pat. No. 8,261,393, entitled “Fall Restraint Equipment Component and Method for Manufacturing the Same” and granted on Sep. 11, 2012; U.S. Publication No. 2010/0031455, entitled “Fall Restraint Equipment Component and Method for Manufacturing the Same” and published on Feb. 11, 2010; U.S. Pat. No. 8,341,821, entitled “Fall Restraint Equipment Components and Method for Manufacturing the Same” and granted on Jan. 1, 2013; and U.S. Pat. No. 8,046,858, entitled “Gangway Handrail and Method for Manufacturing the Same” and granted on Nov. 1, 2011, the entire of disclosure of each of which is hereby incorporated by reference as if set forth verbatim herein and relied upon for all purposes.

FIG. 1 illustrates fall restraint equipment comprising a stairwell 100, a platform 102, a gangway 104, and a cage 106. In this example, platform 102 is part of a canopy system 108 comprising a canopy 110. Stairwell 100 is connected to and provides access to platform 102. Gangway 104 is pivotally connected to platform 102 on one side of the gangway and to cage 106 on the other. It should be understood that the fall restraint equipment illustrated in FIG. 1 may include other components, such as handrails 112.

In operation, the fall restraint equipment is located adjacent to railroad tracks, thereby allowing railcars, such as railcar 114, to pass by and be positioned adjacent the fall restraint equipment in order to unload the material from the railcar. In this manner, a locomotive operatively connected to railcar 114 positions the railcar in a manner such that an access point 116 of the railcar is directly in front of gangway 104. Gangway 104 is then pivoted or lowered toward railcar 114 until cage 106 encircles access point 116 as should be understood by those in the art. Access point 116 may include a platform 118 and its own guardrails 120.

After pivoting and lowering gangway 104 so that cage 106 encircles the area defined by access point 116, platform 118, and guardrails 120, a user reaches the access point by crossing gangway 104. After opening access point 116, the materials contained within railcar 114 may be unloaded and transported back down gangway 104, platform 102, and stairwell 100, if desired. Canopy system 108 and canopy 110 shields the user from the elements, such as precipitation or heat from the sun.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view of cage 106 comprising a top rail 202 connected to a bottom rail 204 via vertical supports 206. Top rail 202 and bottom rail 204 are comprised of two upper mirror image rail portions and two lower mirror image rail portions, respectively. The two mirror image rail portions are interconnected by a pair of splice plates 208. Cage 106 further comprises bumpout weldments 200 that connect the cage to another structure such as gangway 104 (FIG. 1). Cage 106 may optionally include a sign plate 210 to which a label or other instructions may be attached.

FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of cage 106. Bumpout weldments 200 a and 200 b are mirror images of one another. Each of bumpout weldments 200 comprises a bump up component 300, a bump top brace 302, a bump bottom brace 304, and a bump angle plate 306. The formation of bumpout weldments 200 is described in more detail below. Bump angle plate 306 connects cage 106 and, more specifically, bumpout weldments 200, to another structure, such as gangway 104 (FIG. 1).

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of bump up component 300 a, which is formed from an integral, continuous piece 402 of tubular metal. The continuous piece 402 is drilled, lasered, or otherwise cut to define apertures 404, 406, 408, and 410 and tab 412. This may be accomplished through the use of a tube laser, cutting drill, or plasma torch. Continuous piece 402 is also cut at the areas denoted at 413 in order to define tab 414.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view of bump bottom brace 304 a, which is formed from an integral, continuous piece 500 of tubular metal. Continuous piece 500 is drilled, lasered, or otherwise cut to define a pair of tabs 502. This may be accomplished through the use of a tube laser, cutting drill, or plasma torch. Each tab 502 is identical to the other tab and located on opposite sides of one end of the bump bottom brace 304 a with respect to one another.

FIG. 6 is a perspective view of bump top brace 302 a, which is also formed from an integral, continuous piece 600 of tubular metal. Continuous piece 600 is drilled, lasered, or otherwise cut to define tab aperture 602 (including the indentation denoted at 604), a pair of tabs 606, and area 608. This may be accomplished through the use of a tube laser, cutting drill, or plasma torch. Each tab 606 is identical to the other tab and located on opposites sides of one end of the bump top brace 302 a.

FIGS. 7 and 8 are perspective views of bump angle braces 306 a and 306 b, respectively, which are formed from respective continuous pieces 700 and 800 of sheet metal. Bump angle braces 306 a and 306 b are mirror images of one another. Accordingly, the following discussion is directed to bump angle brace 306 a, although it should be understood to apply to bump angle brace 306 b as well. Continuous piece 700 is drilled, lasered, or otherwise cut to define apertures 702, area 704, and indentations 706. Continuous piece 700 of sheet metal is folded along fold line 708 in order to form bump angle brace 302 a.

FIGS. 9 and 10 are perspective views of bumpout weldments 200 a and 200 b, respectively, which are mirror images of one another. Accordingly, the following discussion is directed to bumpout weldment 200 a, although it should be understood to apply to bumpout weldment 200 b. Referring to FIGS. 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, and 9, bumpout weldment 200 b is formed by bending tab 414 outward (in the direction opposite of aperture 410). This provides a sufficient amount of clearance so that area 608 may be inserted into aperture 406. Pressure is then applied to bump up component 300 a and bump top brace 302 a so that the bottom edge of the area defining aperture 406 is received into area 604. Pressure is then applied to bump up component 300 a and bump top brace 302 a in order to lock the bump top brace into place with respect to component 300 a. Pressure is also applied to tab 414 in order to push the tab back into contact with bump top brace 302 a.

Tabs 606 of bump top brace 302 a and tabs 502 of bump bottom brace 304 a are inserted into corresponding apertures 706 of bump angle brace 306 a. The opposite end of bump bottom brace 304 a is inserted into aperture 404. The areas of components 300, 302, 304, and 306 that come into contact with one another are welded together for additional stability. It should be understood that the internal area defined by bump up component 300 a receives respective portions of bump top brace 302 a and of bump bottom brace 304 a. Accordingly, the welds where these components come into contact with one another are not the only structural support holding bumpout weldments 300 together. Rather, the edges of bump up component 300 defining apertures 404 and 406 rest on the surfaces of bump bottom brace 304 and bump top brace 306, respectively, which have been inserted fully into component 300.

FIG. 11 is a bottom planar view of portion 202 a of top rail 202 (FIG. 2), which is formed from a continuous piece 1100 of circular, tubular metal. Continuous piece 1100 is drilled, lasered, or otherwise cut to define tab apertures 1104. This may be accomplished through the use of a tube laser, cutting drill, or plasma torch. Continuous piece 1100 of circular, tubular metal is then bent at approximately a 45° angle at the locations denoted by bend lines 1102 in order to form portion 202 a of upper rail 202 (FIG. 2). FIGS. 12 and 13 are side elevation and top planar views, respectively, of portion 202 a prior to being bent at bend lines 1102 (FIG. 11). It should be understood that bottom rail 204 is formed in a similar manner to that described above with respect to top rail 202.

Referring also to FIGS. 2 and 3, cage 106 is formed by inserting vertical supports bars 206 into the apertures defined by upper rail 202 and lower rail 204, such as apertures 1104. Opposite side ends of sign plate 210 may be inserted into a vertical aperture defined by two of the vertical supports bars 206 as illustrated in FIG. 3. Vertical support bars 206 are described in more detail below. A label 211 having an adhesive backing may be affixed to sign plate 210. It should be understood that the apertures defined by top rail 202 and bottom rail 204 are configured to receive a portion of each relevant vertical support bar 206. The connections between rails 202 and 204 and vertical support bars are then welded. It should be appreciated that the strength of the connection between these components is not based solely on a weld.

Once portions a and b of cage 106 have been formed in the manner described above, one end of rail portions 202 a and 204 a are welded to cage splice plate 208 a. One end of rail portions 202 b and 204 b are likewise welded to cage splice plate 208 b. Cage splice plates 208 a and 208 b are then welded together. The other end of rail portions 202 a and 204 a are inserted into bumpout weldment 200 a. Specifically, the end of upper rail portion 202 a is inserted into aperture 410 of bump up component 300 a (FIGS. 4 and 9). The end of lower rail portion 204 a is inserted into aperture 408 of bump up component 300 a (FIGS. 4 and 9). The connections between the rails 202 a and 204 a and bump up component 300 a are then welded. Upper rail portion 202 b and lower rail portion 204 b are similarly connected and welded to bumpout weldment 300 b.

FIG. 14 illustrates the use of fall restraint equipment to unload material from a tractor-trailer 1402. In this embodiment, the fall restraint equipment comprises a mobile access unit 1400 that includes a base portion 1404 and a ladder portion 1406. A cage 1408 is attached to the end of ladder portion 1406. Tractor-trailer 1402 comprises a tractor portion 1410 and a trailer portion 1412. Access points 1414 are located on the top surface of trailer portion 1412 similar to that described above with respect to railcar 114 of FIG. 1.

In operation, mobile access unit 1400 is positioned so that it is located adjacent an access point 1414 of trailer 1412. Cage 1408 is positioned to encircle the access point. A user climbs ladder portion 1406 in order to gain access to access point 1414.

FIG. 15 is a perspective view of cage 1408 comprising an upper rail 3002, a first mid rail 3004, a second mid rail 3006, and a bottom rail 3008. Rails 3002, 3004, 3006, and 3008 are interconnected by vertical support bars 3010 in a manner similar to that described above with reference to FIGS. 2 and 3. Likewise, the end of rails 3002, 3004, 3006, and 3008 are connected to bumpout weldments 3000.

FIG. 16 is a side elevation view of vertical support bar 3010, but may also be used as vertical support bar 206 (FIG. 2). Vertical support bar 3010 is formed from a continuous piece of circular, tubular metal. The continuous piece is drilled, lasered, or otherwise cut to cut the bar to size and to define the indentations on both ends of the bar. This may be accomplished through the use of a tube laser, cutting drill, or plasma torch.

FIGS. 17, 18, and 19 are bottom planar, side elevation, and top planar views, respectively, of first mid rail 3004, which is formed from a continuous piece 3200 of circular, tubular metal. Continuous piece 3200 is drilled, lasered, or otherwise cut to cut the bar to define apertures 3206 and 3208. This may be accomplished through the use of a tube laser, cutting drill, or plasma torch. Continuous piece 3200 of circular, tubular metal is then bent at approximately 45° angles at bend lines commonly denoted at 3204 in FIG. 17 in order to form first mid rail 3004. Referring again to FIG. 15, upper rail 3002, second mid rail 3006, and bottom rail 3008 are formed in a similar manner to that described above with respect to FIGS. 17, 18, and 19, and with respect to FIGS. 2, 3, 11, 12, and 13. It should be understood, however, that the location of apertures 3206 and/or 3208 for each rail may vary in order to allow vertical support bars to be interspersed as illustrated in FIG. 15. Thus, it should be further understood that a surface of one rail defines apertures that correspond to apertures defined by the surface of another rail that faces the first rail to allow a vertical support bar to connect the two.

FIG. 20 is a perspective view of bumpout weldment 3000 formed in a similar manner to that described above with respect to FIG. 9 except incorporating a bump up component 3500. Otherwise, weldment 3000 is similar in construction, operation, and use as that of weldment 200.

FIG. 21 is a perspective view of bump up component 3500 comprising a continuous piece of tubular metal. The continuous piece is drilled, lasered, or otherwise cut to cut the bar to define apertures 3600 and 3602 and a tab 3604 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to FIG. 4. It should be understood, however, that component 3500 comprises four apertures 3600 in order to receive each of the rails described above.

It should be understood that the above description discloses a cage for fall restraint equipment that has increased stability at the locations where its components connect and is more efficient to manufacture.

FIG. 22 illustrates mobile access unit 1400 connected to cage 1408, both of FIG. 14, but removed from tractor-trailer 1402 (FIG. 14). FIG. 23 is an exploded view of mobile access unit 1400 and cage 1408. The construction and operation of cage 1408 are described above and are, therefore, not described in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 22 and 23, mobile access unit 1400 comprises base portion 1404 connected to and supporting ladder assembly 1406. Base portion 1404 comprises a platform 1500, a chariot portion 1502, a plurality of wheels 1504, an h-frame 1506, a pair of jack stands 1508, a pair of ladder adapters 1510, a handle 1512, and a gooseneck weldment 1514.

FIG. 24 is a perspective view of a top surface of platform 1500. Platform 1500 comprises a side rail 1800 and two support surfaces 2400, both of which are described in more detail below. Support surfaces 2400 are preferably formed from continuous pieces of sheet metal that have been butterflied and/or lasered and stamped to result in surfaces 2400 a and 2400 b. Support surfaces 2400 are also cut in order to define apertures 2401 configured to receive ladder adapters, as described in more detail below. FIG. 25 is a perspective view of the underside of platform 1500 exhibiting a support structure 2500. Support surfaces 2400 have been removed from FIG. 25 for purposes of explanation.

Referring to FIG. 25, support structure 2500 comprises side rail 1800, a pair of crossbeams 1804 and 1806, a plurality of crossbeam supports 1808, 1810, 1812, and 1814, and adapter supports 1816. Side rail 1800 is a continuous piece of tubular metal that has been notched and folded at 90° in three places to form a rectangular support, as illustrated, in a manner similar to that described above with respect to top rail 202 (FIGS. 3, 11, and 12). Side rail 1800 is also lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures for receiving the ends of crossbeams 1804 and 1806 and crossbeam supports 1808, 1810, 1812, and 1814 that connect to the side rail. Side rail 1800 is also lasered or cut to define other apertures configured to receive bolts, rivets, or other suitable fasteners in order to connect to other components of base portion 1404 (FIG. 23), as described below. For simplicity, apertures defined near the corners of side rail 1800 are denoted by reference numerals 1820, while apertures defined near the middle of each section of the side rail are denoted by reference numerals 1822. The crossbeams are lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures for receiving the ends of the crossbeam supports that connect to the crossbeams. Likewise, the crossbeam supports are lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures for receiving the ends of adapter supports 1816. Preferably, the crossbeams, crossbeam supports, and adapter supports are each constructed from a singular piece of tubular metal.

Each end of one adapter support 1816 is inserted into crossbeam supports 1808 and 1810, while each end of the other adapter support is inserted into crossbeam supports 1812 and 1814. One end of each of crossbeam supports 1808 and 1810 is inserted into portion 1800 d of the side rail, while the other end of each crossbeam support is inserted into crossbeam 1804. Likewise, one end of each of crossbeam supports 1812 and 1814 is inserted into portion 1800 c of the side rail, while the other end of each crossbeam support is inserted into crossbeam 1806. Side rail 1800 is then folded at the corner between portion 1800 b and 1800 c and the corner between portion 1800 b and 1800 d so that one end of each of crossbeams 1804 and 1806 is inserted into portion 1800 b of the side rail. Side rail is folded at the corner between portions 1800 a and 1800 d so that the other end of each of crossbeams 1804 and 1806 are inserted into the apertures defined in portion 1800 a of the side rail and so that the end of portions 1800 a and 1800 c form a corner. The connections made between two components may then be welded for additional strength and support, such as the connections made by the crossbeams and the crossbeam supports. Support surfaces 2400 are fastened to support structure 2500 by any suitable method, such as welding, bolting, riveting, or a combination thereof.

FIG. 26 is a perspective view of chariot portion 1502 of mobile access unit 1400 (FIG. 22) comprising a top rail 1900, a midrail 1902, a pair of midbeams 1904, a toeboard 1906, and brackets 1908 and 1910. Top rail 1900 and midrail 1902 are formed in a manner similar to that described above with respect to top rail 202 (FIGS. 3, 11, and 12). That is, rails 1900 and 1902 are formed from respective continuous pieces of circular, tubular metal, lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures to receive ends of other components, and curved at 45° angles at certain locations. For instance, top rail 1900 is lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures configured to receive both ends of midrail 1902 at opposite sides of the top rail denoted at points 1914 and 1916 and to define an aperture configured to receive an end of midbeam 1904 b denoted at point 1918. Top rail 1900 is curved at a 45° at the locations denoted by numerals 1920. Midrail 1902 is lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures configured to receive midbeams 1904 a and 1904 b on opposite sides of the midrail as denoted at points 1922 and 1924, respectively. Midrail 1902 is curved at a 45° at the locations denoted by numerals 1926.

The portions of toeboard 1906 are formed from continuous pieces of tubular metal. In one embodiment, the ends of midbeam 1904 a and top rail 1900 are lasered or otherwise cut to define areas to receive the portions of toeboard 1906. The portions of toeboard 1906 may also be connected to ends of midbeam 1904 a and top rail 1900 by other suitable fastening methods, such as welding. Likewise, brackets 1908 and 1910 are fastened to toeboard 1906 by any suitable method, including welding, bolting, and/or riveting.

FIGS. 27 and 28 are perspective views of ladder adapters 1510 of base portion 1404 (FIGS. 22 and 23) in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention. Ladder adapters 1510 comprise a tubular portion 2800, a flat portion 2802, and a lip portion 2804. Tubular portion 2800 is formed from a continuous piece of tubular metal that has been lasered or otherwise cut to define a pair of opposing apertures 2806. Apertures 2806 of ladder adapters 1510 are configured to align with apertures 1824 defined by crossbeams 1804 and 1806 and ladder adapters 1816 (all of FIG. 25). Lip portion is lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures 2808, which are configured to align with apertures of ladder portion 1406 (FIGS. 22 and 23), as described in more detail below.

Referring to FIGS. 29 a and 29 b, chariot portion 1502 is connected to platform 1500 by bolts or other suitable fasteners connecting brackets 1908 to side rail 1800. An additional pair of brackets 2900 configured to connect to jack stands 1508 (FIGS. 22 and 23), as described below, are bolted or otherwise connected to platform 1500. Ladder adapters 1510 are bolted to respective crossbeams 1804 and 1806 and to adapter supports 1816.

FIG. 30 is a perspective view of an h-frame 1506 comprising a bottom support 2300, a pair of uprights 2302 and 2304, a midbeam 2306, and a top support 2308. A pulley system 2310 comprising a pulley 2312, a wench 2314, a crank 2316, and a cable 2318 is attached to top support 2308 and midbeam 2306. That is, pulley 2312 is connected to top support 2308, while wench 2314 and crank 2316 are connected to midbeam 2306. The operation and use of h-frame 1506 including pulley system 2310 is described in more detail below. Bottom support 2300 is cut to define a set of apertures denoted at 2320 that are used to connect h-frame 1506 to platform 1500 as described in more detail below. Each of uprights 2302 and 2304 is lasered or otherwise cut to define a set of apertures 2322 configured to align with apertures defined by uprights 2414 of ladder portion 1406 (described below with respect to FIG. 32) in order to connect h-frame 1506 to the ladder portion. H-frame 1506 may comprise additional components as desired, such as a sign placard 2324 to which a label or other information may be adhered.

FIG. 31 is a perspective view of gooseneck weldment 1514, which is cut to define two sets of apertures 3100 and 3102 that allow the weldment to be connected to handle 1512 (FIG. 23) and to bracket 1910 (FIG. 26) of chariot portion 1502, as described in more detail below.

Most components of base portion 1404 are connected to platform 1500. Referring to FIGS. 23 through 31, for instance, brackets 1908 of chariot portion 1502 are bolted or otherwise connected, such as by rivets, to respective portions of side rail 1800 of platform 1500 via two sets of respective middle apertures 1822. A portion of handle 1512 is connected to front wheel 1504 a, while another portion of the handle is connected to gooseneck weldment 1514 via apertures 3102. The gooseneck weldment is then connected to bracket 1910 of chariot portion 1502 via apertures 3100. Ladder adapters 1510 are bolted or otherwise connect, such as by rivets, to respective portions of crossbeams 1806 and 1804 and adapter supports 1816. Wheels 1504 b are connected to platform 1500, as are jack stands 1508. H-frame 1506 is connected to platform 1500 by aligning apertures 2320 of the h-frame with a set of middle apertures 1822 of the platform and supplying fasteners, such as bolts or rivets, through the aligned apertures.

FIG. 32 is a perspective view of ladder portion 1406 comprising a fixed portion 2402 and a moveable portion 2404. Fixed portion 2402 comprises a pair of uprights 2406 and a plurality of steps 2408. Moveable portion 2404 comprises a pair of uprights 2414, a pair of channeled supports 2416, a platform 2418, a plurality of steps 2417, and may include other components, such as a pair of handrail systems 2420.

Each of uprights 2406 is formed from a continuous piece of metal lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures to receive an end portion of each of steps 2408, similar in the manner side panel 1800 is lasered or otherwise cut to receive an end portion of each of crossbeams 1804 and 1806 as described above with respect to FIG. 25. Similarly, each of steps 2408 is formed from a continuous piece of tubular metal that is lasered or otherwise cut and then stamped to form the resulting step.

Each of uprights 2406 are also lasered or otherwise cut to define areas to receive a plurality of brackets 2410, 2411, and 2412. Brackets 2410 are configured to receive portions of moveable portion 2404 that allow the moveable portion to move up and down with respect to fixed portion 2402. Brackets 2411 are configured to connect to h-frame 1506 (FIG. 30), as described in more detail below. Brackets 2412 are lasered or otherwise cut to define apertures that align with apertures 2808 of ladder adapters 1510 as described above with respect to FIGS. 27 and 28.

Each of uprights 2414 is formed from a continuous piece of metal lasered or otherwise cut to define areas configured to receive portions of channel supports 2416 and handrail systems 2420 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to bump up component 300 of FIG. 10. Uprights 2414 are also lasered or otherwise cut to define a plurality apertures denoted at 2422 that are configured to align with apertures defined by angle braces 306 of bumpout weldments 200 described above with respect to FIG. 10 in order to connect ladder portion 1406 to cage 1408 (FIG. 22).

Each of channeled supports 2416 is formed from a continuous piece of channeled tubular metal, which is folded in a manner similar to that described above with respect to top rail 202 of FIG. 11. Platform 2418 is lasered and/or butterflied from a flat, continuous piece of sheet metal and stamped to form the resulting platform. It should be understood that channeled uprights 2416, brackets 2410 and handrail systems 2420 are configured to work together to enable moveable portion 2404 to move up and down with respect to fixed portion 2402 of ladder portion 1406. It should be understood, however, that movable portion 2404 may be bolted or otherwise fixed into place once it is configured at the desired height as described in more detail below. Steps 2417 are formed and connected to channel supports 2416 in ways similar to those described above with respect to steps 2408 and uprights 2406.

Referring to FIGS. 22, 23, 27, 28, 30, and 32, mobile access unit 1400 is formed by connecting ladder portion 1406 to base portion 1404. That is, brackets 2412 are fastened by one or more bolts or other suitable fasteners, such as rivets, to ladder adapters 1510 via apertures 2808 and those defined by brackets 2412. Brackets 2411 are fasted by a bolt or other suitable fastener to h-frame 1506 via apertures 2322 and those defined by brackets 2411. Additionally, the lose end of cable 2318 is connected to a portion of one of steps 2417.

Referring to FIGS. 14, 22, 23, and 30, cage 1408 and moveable portion 2404 may be raised to a desired height by using pulley system 2310. That is, rotation of crank 2316 causes wench 2314 to retract cable 2318 via pulley 2312, thereby asserting a pulling force on the step of steps 2417 to which the lose end of the cable is attached. Once cage 1408 and moveable portion 2404 reach a desired height, the moveable portion may be fixed into place by bolting or otherwise fastening it to fixed portion 2402. Mobile access unit 1400 may then be wheeled to a desired position using handle 1512 and wheels 1504. Once positioned as desired, jack stands 1508 may be used to fix mobile access unit 1400 in place. A user may then access a storage container such as via access point 1414 of tractor-trailer 1402 by climbing ladder portion 1406 of mobile access unit 1400.

It should be understood from the above description that the components of mobile access unit 1400 described above are modular and may be relocated with respect to platform 1500 and/or ladder portion 1406. Referring to FIGS. 23 and 24, for instance, chariot portion 1502, gooseneck weldment 1514, wheels 1504, and jack stands 1508 may be disconnected from platform 1500 and relocated at a position on the platform as desired using apertures 1820 and 1822. For example, chariot portion 1502, wheels 1504 b, and jack stands 1508 may be disconnected from platform 1500, rotated about the platform in a clockwise manner, and reconnected to the platform at the relevant apertures. As a result, the direction of movement of mobile access unit 1400 may be changed by 90° with respect to ladder portion 1406.

FIG. 33 is a perspective view of a pair of ladder adapters 2600 that may be used to replace ladder adapters 1510 (FIGS. 22, 23, 27, 28, 29 a) in order to increase the height of ladder portion 1406 in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. Each of ladder adapters 2600 is comprised of tubular portions 2601 and 2602 and flat portion 2604. A lip portion 2608 similar to lip portion 2804 (FIGS. 27 and 28) is attached to each of ladder adapters 2600. Lip portions 2608 are cut to define a plurality of apertures 2610 similar to apertures 2808 (FIGS. 27 and 28).

Each of tubular portions 2601 are formed from a continuous piece of tubular metal and lasered or otherwise cut to define areas to receive respective tubular portions 2602 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to bump up component 300 and bump top braces 302 of FIG. 9, respectively. Similarly, each of tubular portions 2602 are formed from lasering or otherwise cutting a continuous piece of tubular metal. Each of tubular portions 2601 are lasered to define apertures 2606, which are similar to apertures 2806 of ladder adapters 1510 (FIGS. 27 and 28). Additionally, each of tubular portions 2601 and 2602 are lasered or otherwise cut to define sets of apertures 2612 configured to receive a pair of steps. Referring additionally to FIG. 34, for instance, a pair of steps 2702 is connected between ladder adapters 2600 in the presently-described embodiment. That is, ends of steps 2702 are inserted into apertures 2612. Steps 2702 are formed by lasering and/or butterflying and stamping a continuous piece of tubular metal in a manner similar to that described above with respect to steps 2408 and 2417 (FIG. 32).

FIG. 35 illustrates lower portion 1402 of mobile access unit 1400 (FIG. 14) where ladder adapters 2600 have replaced ladder adapters 1510 (FIGS. 23 and 29 a). That is, ladder adapters 2600 are connected to platform 1500 in a manner similar to that described above with regard to the connection between ladder adapters 1510 and platform 1500 (FIGS. 25, 29 a, and 29 b). Ladder portion 1406 (FIG. 32) is connected to ladder adapters 2600 in a manner similar to that described above with respect to the connection between ladder adapters 1510 and ladder portion 1406 (FIGS. 22 and 23).

It should be understood that, because ladder adapters 2600 extend ladder portion 1406 to a greater height, an h-frame that is also greater in height a corresponding amount must be used. FIG. 36, for instance, illustrates an h-frame 2900 similar in construction and operation to h-frame 1506 (FIG. 30). However, uprights 2902 and 2904 are longer in length that uprights 2302 and 2304 (FIG. 30), respectively, in order to coincide with the greater height provided by ladder adapters 2600.

It should be understood that an embodiment utilizing ladder adapters 2600 provides a mobile access unit that extends to a height greater than that a mobile access unit utilizing ladder adapters 1510. The greater height is approximately equal to the difference in height between ladder adapters 1510 and ladder adapters 2600, or approximately two feet. It should also be understood that because ladder adapters 1510 and ladder adapters 2600 are exchangeable, the user of mobile access unit 1400 may configure the unit to the desired height for a task and may change it for another task by swapping out the ladder adapters.

While one or more preferred embodiments of the invention have been described above, it should be understood that any and all equivalent realizations of the present invention are included within the scope and spirit thereof. The embodiments depicted are presented by way of example only and are not intended as limitations upon the present invention. Thus, it should be understood by those of ordinary skill in this art that the present invention is not limited to these embodiments since modifications can be made. Therefore, it is contemplated that any and all such embodiments are included in the present invention as may fall within the scope and spirit thereof. 

What is claimed is:
 1. A mobile access unit comprising: a base portion having a rectangular platform with connection features on four sides thereof; a ladder assembly mounted to said base portion in a slant with respect to said base portion; and a pair of wheel assemblies connectable to said base portion via said connection features on either a first pair of opposite sides of said base portion or a second pair of opposite sides of said base portion such that said base portion can roll in a first direction of orientation of said ladder or a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.
 2. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said rectangular platform comprises a side rail forming four side surfaces corresponding to the four sides thereof, and at least one support surface spanning an area inside a perimeter of said side rail.
 3. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 2, wherein each of said connection features comprises a set of apertures extending through said side rail for receiving respective fasteners.
 4. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 3, wherein each said set of apertures comprises at least four apertures.
 5. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 3, wherein each of said side surfaces comprises first and second sets of apertures located adjacent respective corners of said side rail.
 6. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 5, further comprising a third set of apertures located near a middle of each said side surface.
 7. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said connection features are located near respective corners of said rectangular platform such that wheels of said pair of wheel assemblies will also be located near said respective corners at a first end of said rectangular platform.
 8. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 7, further comprising a third wheel assembly removably connectable to said rectangular platform at a second end thereof.
 9. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 8, wherein said third wheel assembly comprises a pivotal wheel.
 10. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 9, wherein said third wheel assembly is connected to an elongate handle.
 11. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 8, further comprising a chariot portion removably attached at said second end of said platform, said chariot portion comprising a rail structure that extends only partially around said platform.
 12. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 1, wherein said ladder assembly has a fixed portion and an extensible movable portion.
 13. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 12, further comprising a crank arrangement for moving said extensible movable portion of said ladder assembly.
 14. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a cage mounted to a distal end of said ladder assembly.
 15. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 1, further comprising at least one jack stand connected to said platform, said at least one jack stand being operative to prevent rolling movement of said base portion when said base portion is positioned at a selected location.
 16. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 1, further comprising a ladder adapter arrangement attached to platform, said ladder adapter arrangement including a pair of ladder adapters and at least one step extending therebetween at a location above a surface of said platform.
 17. A mobile access unit comprising: a base portion having a rectangular platform having a side rail and at least one support surface spanning an area inside a perimeter of said side rail; said platform having connection features located adjacent respective corners thereof; a ladder assembly mounted to said base portion in a slant with respect to said base portion; and a pair of wheel assemblies connectable to said base portion via said a first selected pair of said connection features so that wheels thereof will be located on a first pair of opposite sides of said base portion or via a second selected pair of said connection features so that said wheels will be located on a second pair of opposite sides of said base portion, such that said wheels of said pair of wheel assemblies will be located near said respective corners at a first end of said rectangular platform and said base portion can roll in a first direction of orientation of said ladder or a second direction perpendicular to said first direction.
 18. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 17, wherein both of said connection features of said first selected pair of connection features and both of said connection features of said second selected pair of connection features are different.
 19. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 17, further comprising a third wheel assembly removably connectable to said rectangular platform at a second end thereof.
 20. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 19, wherein said third wheel assembly comprises a pivotal wheel.
 21. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 20, wherein said third wheel assembly is connected to an elongate handle.
 22. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 19, further comprising a chariot portion removably attached at said second end of said platform, said chariot portion comprising a rail structure that extends only partially around said platform.
 23. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 17, wherein each of said connection features comprises a set of apertures extending through said side rail for receiving respective fasteners.
 24. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 23, wherein each said set of apertures comprises at least four apertures.
 25. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 23, wherein each of said side surfaces comprises first and second sets of apertures located adjacent respective corners of said side rail.
 26. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 25, further comprising a third set of apertures located near a middle of each said side rail.
 27. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 17, wherein said ladder assembly has a fixed portion and an extensible movable portion.
 28. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 27, further comprising a cage mounted to a distal end of said ladder assembly.
 29. A mobile access unit as set forth in claim 17, further comprising at least one jack stand connected to said platform, said at least one jack stand being operative to prevent rolling movement of said base portion when said base portion is positioned at a selected location.
 30. A method of adapting a rolling direction of a mobile access unit comprising a base portion having a rectangular platform supporting a ladder assembly, said method comprising steps of: removing a pair of wheel assemblies located at first and second opposite sides of said platform near respective corners thereof; removing a third wheel assembly located at a middle of a third side of said platform; connecting said pair of wheel assemblies to be located at said third side and an opposite fourth side of said platform near respective corners thereof; and connecting said third wheel assembly to be located at said second side of said platform at a middle thereof, wherein said mobile access unit thereafter rolls in a second rolling direction perpendicular to a first rolling direction. 